The navigator is an indispensable assistant for all motorists, especially for those who, by the nature of their activities, travel long distances in unfamiliar terrain. First of all, truck drivers fall under this characteristic. For them, a navigator is not just a useful gadget, but the most reliable partner who will give the right advice in the current traffic situation.
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To begin with, we note that all navigators are divided into 3 types:
As it may seem at first glance, this division is superficial and optional, but this is a fundamentally erroneous opinion.Each of these types has a specific purpose and solves a certain range of problems. The main features of navigators used on trucks include special software that allows you to select the dimensions of the vehicle, the number of axles, the level of danger of the cargo and other parameters of large-tonnage vehicles. Consider the most famous software:
CoPilot Truck GPS - includes a detailed map of the European Union, which is updated 2 times a day when paying for support. Offers 3 options for the route, taking into account the type of transport and cargo, warns of the presence of low bridges and suggests a way to detour them. To work, you need access to the Internet. For gadgets based on Android.
iGO primo Nextgen Truck is a software in demand in Russia and the CIS countries, not only takes into account the dimensions of the car, but also shows the state of the road, the presence of traffic jams, there is a real-time routing function. For devices based on different software: Android, Windows CE, Windows Mobile, Apple iOS.
Truck GPS Navigation by Aponia is a universal navigation software for heavy vehicles. Paves the route, taking into account the dimensions of the car, its weight, axle load, the degree of danger of the cargo. Maps are stored directly on the internal memory, allowing you to use them without connecting to a network. The update is free. Designed for gadgets based on Android.
Sygic Truck GPS Navigation - navigation for large vehicles for various purposes. It features excellent quality cards that can be used without a permanent connection to the network. The route is laid out in such a way as to exclude travel on toll roads and difficult sections.In this case, the type of vehicle and the degree of its loading are taken into account, gas stations, parking lots, weight stations are displayed. You can use the basic package for free. Premium features are only available for 2 weeks, after which a paid upgrade is required. For Android devices.
Waze is an app for helping drivers to each other. Quickly and efficiently processes the received data and gives the real situation on the road. A permanent network connection is required. The program can be used on the following mobile platforms: Windows Phone, iOS, Android, Windows Mobile, Symbian and BlackBerry.
Navitel is a navigation software for Russia and CIS countries. It features detailed maps showing cameras, radars, dangerous areas, as well as gas stations, parking lots, etc. Suitable for PDAs and communicators with a GPS receiver on the iPhone OS, Windows Mobile, Android, Symbian, Bada, Java platforms, as well as for navigators based on Windows CE.
In addition, they must be able to choose the best route, including for a certain type of coverage and taking into account the dimensions and weight of the truck, find the desired object not only by address, but also by name, and determine their location.
Also, when choosing this type of gadgets, you need to pay attention to the following parameters:
A screen with a diagonal of 5 to 8 inches is more preferable. A device with a larger display may restrict visibility, especially if mounted on the windshield. Some experts advise purchasing a device with a diagonal of at least 7.
The higher this parameter, the better. High-resolution screens produce a clearer image and make it easier to read.
The quality of reading the displayed information is largely affected by the brightness of the display.The higher it is, the more visible the image is in bright sunlight. However, it is not so much the level of brightness that is more important than its ability to adapt depending on the level of illumination, and it is desirable that this function be automatic.
Plotting the optimal route is the primary function of every navigator. But even each model can implement it with varying degrees of efficiency. For truck drivers, the high detail of the maps of the area through which the route is laid is extremely important. Therefore, you need to choose software that will provide you with detailed maps of the countries in which you plan to travel. It is important that the software has the ability to update map data regularly and preferably free of charge or at a reasonable cost.
A high-quality and thoughtful device will provide the driver with information about the location of parking lots, gas stations, places for stopping trucks, hotels, weighing stations, car services, etc. In addition, a functional navigator should use only fresh data on the traffic situation and, thanks to this, build a route taking into account detours of repaired sections, notifies of traffic jams and offers an alternative route, warns of traffic police posts, accidents, etc.
This includes the ability to control the gadget by voice, so that the driver will not need to be distracted by setting it up and entering the destination address while driving. Another nice feature to use is Active Lane Guidance. She tells the driver which lane to move on a multi-lane highway, which helps a lot especially in unfamiliar cities.The GPRS module will allow the navigator to connect to the Internet. Some models are equipped with DVRs and radar detectors. Very few navigation gadgets support GLONASS (Russian satellite navigation system), thanks to which coordinates are determined more accurately. But communication with GLONASS satellites is not fundamental and does not affect the quality of navigation. Navigation systems are often equipped with FM receivers, video players and Mp3 players, which turn them into leisure activities (watching videos, listening to music, etc.).
When choosing a navigation system, you also need to pay attention to the processor, because the speed of the device and the speed of processing the received data largely depend on its power. The processor frequency must not be less than 600 MHz.
This includes RAM, internal and external memory. Operational is responsible for speed. It must be at least 128 MB. The built-in is responsible for the amount of stored information, in order to increase it, you can install an external drive. Most often these are micro SD cards.
It will not be superfluous to have a USB connector, Bluetooth, TV and / or FM tuner, and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Despite the fact that this model on Windows CE 6.0 has been on sale for a long time and may be inferior to new products in some respects, it is still in demand among many truck drivers. It is equipped with a large display (7 inches) with a good extension, which allows you to navigate the map well.The navigator comes with licensed software Avtosputnik, CityGuide and Navitel with an activation key, which, by the way, is a big advantage compared to many models that have demo versions of the software installed. Although not the fastest SiRFatLas V processor with a frequency of 533 MHz is responsible for the operation of the entire system, it does its job well. The GPS receiver with a built-in antenna uses 64 channels and perfectly catches satellites and quickly determines the location. It is noteworthy that the navigator can receive information about traffic jams and plot a route based on this. The device can be used not only to solve specific navigation tasks, but also serve as an excellent way to spend your leisure time. On it you can not only view photos, videos, listen to music, but also use the built-in TV tuner to watch TV channels. The kit includes 2 power adapters (one from the mains, the other from the cigarette lighter), USB cable, car windshield mount, headphones.
The cost is from 8400 rubles.
Navigation gadget for heavy trucks using IGO Primo Truck software. The software is supplied with highly detailed maps of Russia and Europe. The GPS module uses 20 channels, thanks to which the coordinates are determined with high accuracy.The Cortex-A9 processor has a frequency of 800 MHz, it is responsible for the performance of the entire system. The device is equipped with a 7-inch screen with high brightness and resolution, making the displayed information easy to read. A kind of visor, framing the screen on the top and sides, does not allow bright sunlight to illuminate the image, which also makes reading information more comfortable. If desired, you can install a micro SD in the gadget, which will allow you to use it while relaxing to watch videos. Operates on the Windows CE 6.0 platform. Can be powered by either a lithium-ion battery or a charger. Comes with charger, mini-USB cable, car mount.
The cost is from 6900 rubles.
Quite expensive, but justifying its cost navigator. It is suitable only for those who need only high-quality navigation services from the navigator. The thing is that this gadget does not provide other multimedia functions. Why does it attract experienced drivers so much? First of all, they note the high accuracy of cartographic data, which are updated for free as soon as an update is released on the official website. Secondly, a clearly and correctly calculated route, taking into account the characteristics of the car. Thanks to the TMC receiver, the navigator receives the most up-to-date data on the presence of traffic jams and rebuilds the route taking into account the situation on the roads.In addition, this device warns of dangerous turns, speed cameras, parking lots, and also helps you choose the right lane on a multi-lane highway. Unfortunately, we could not find technical specifications regarding memory, battery and processor on any site. We also note that, despite the large number of advantages, the navigator also has negative reviews. They are primarily associated with the lack of multimedia and high cost in comparison with analogues.
Cost - from 16600 rubles.
Options | GlobusGPS GL-700ATV | XGODY 740 | Garmin Drive 61 RUS LMT |
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Display Diagonal | 7" | 7" | 6,1" |
Permission | 800x480 | 800x480 | 800x480 |
RAM, Mb | 128 | 128 | not specified |
Built-in memory, GB | 4 | 8 | not specified |
External memory | microSD | microSD | microSD up to 64 GB |
Battery capacity, mAh | 1500 | not specified | 1250 |
Software | Autosputnik, Navitel, CityGuide | IGO Primo Truck | Garmin |
Operating system | Windows CE 6.0 | Windows CE 6.0 | Windows CE |
Connectors | mini USB, AV input | mini USB | mini USB |
Modules | FM transmitter, GSM/GPRS module | FM transmitter | Bluetooth, TMC receiver |
Additional functions | TV tuner, photo, video viewing | - | notification of cameras, dangerous turns, the function of selecting the desired lane, viewing the situation in real time |
Dimensions, cm | 17.7x11.1x1.3 | 18.3x11.2x1.3 | 17.0x9.4x2.1 |
Eplutus GR-71 is a multifunctional device running on the Android platform and including a navigator, a DVR and a radar detector. The OS allows you to install additional applications from the Google Play Market, for example, to view video content. The instrument uses Navitel 9 software for navigation. The latest GPS system uses a built-in receiver to determine the location of the vehicle. The accuracy of the coordinates is determined at a high level, thanks to the connection with 32 satellites. The processor is responsible for the speed of applications: MT8127 with a frequency of 1300 MHz. The device is equipped with a large TFT display (7 inches). The built-in camera (8 MP) provides a viewing angle of 170̊ and a video resolution of 1980x1080/1280x720 in AVI format. The navigator can work both autonomously from the built-in battery and from the car charger that comes with the kit. Attached to the suction cup.
The cost is from 7100 rubles.
A multifunctional gadget that combines a navigation system, a tablet and a rear view camera. The device runs on the Android platform, which allows you to install various programs, including navigation. The 4-core processor MTK8127 with a frequency of 1300 MHz is responsible for the speed of the system. Thanks to its power, the device perfectly copes with a variety of pre-installed software. Initially, trial versions of applications were installed: Yandex Navigator, 2GIS, Maps.me, Progorod, Antiradar, in the future, of which you can leave the most suitable ones. Adds convenience to use a large touch screen. Of the additional functionality, a rear-view camera with a viewing angle of 120̊, which comes with the kit, deserves special attention. In addition, the device is equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules, with which you can connect other gadgets or download applications from the Internet.
The cost is from 8790 rubles.
A fairly popular and sought-after model among car drivers, which is a tablet on the Android platform version 7.0. Of the advantages, first of all, a large and bright display with high-quality image transmission catches the eye.Attention is drawn to the large 1 GB RAM, which, together with the 4-core MTK8321 Cortex-A7 processor, should ensure the speed and functionality of the entire system. The amount of internal memory is 16 GB, if desired, it can be increased up to 128 GB using microSD. For navigation, Navitel software is installed, which includes maps of almost 50 countries that are available even when the Internet is turned off. For the convenience of the user, the tablet is equipped with 2 slots for SIM-cards, so it can be used as a phone. In general, the device should satisfy almost all the needs of users, but in reality everything turned out differently. Most noted poor build quality and a heavily scratched screen. Many drivers are indignant about the speed of the system and weak hardware, which ceases to pull constantly updated software. As a result, the ratio of pluses and minuses is 50/50, so the choice is quite difficult.
The cost is from 6300 rubles.
Options | Eplutus GR-71 | Dunobil Consul 7.0 Parking Monitor | NAVITEL T700 3G |
---|---|---|---|
Display Diagonal | 7" | 7" | 7" |
Permission | 800x480 | 800x480 (for rear view camera 640x480) | 1024x600 |
RAM, Mb | 512 | 512 | 1024 |
Built-in memory, GB | 8 | 8 | 16 |
External memory | microSD up to 32 GB | microSD up to 64 GB | microSD up to 128 GB |
Battery capacity, mAh | 2000 | 1500 | 2800 |
Software | Navitel | demo version: Yandex Navigator, 2 GIS, Progorod, MAPS.ME | Navitel |
Operating system | Android 4.4 | Android 4.4.2 | Android 7.0 |
Connectors | AV-IN, USB 2.0, TF | mini USB 2.0, AV-IN | USB 2.0, mini-jack |
Modules | Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS | WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth, FM module | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GSM/GPRS module |
Additional functions | video recorder, radar | rear view camera, MP3 player | 2 SIM slots, 2G/3G, 2 cameras, voice recorder |
Dimensions, cm | 18.3x10.8x3.5 | 18.2x11.3x1.3 | 18.9x10.9x1.2 |
Summing up, I would like to emphasize once again that the choice of a navigator largely depends on the personal preferences of the driver. Someone needs a multifunctional multimedia gadget, and someone is looking for a reliable navigation system. But since in the work of the navigator, first of all, speed and accuracy are valued, choose devices with the latest operating system that will provide a quick response, and with modern advanced software, preferably with a free update.